Metal Storm logo
Nihil Novi Sub Sole - Jupiter Temple review



Reviewer:
8.0

2 users:
8
Band: Nihil Novi Sub Sole
Album: Jupiter Temple
Release date: January 2010


01. Nihil Novi Sub Sole
02. Die Angeklagten
03. To Enslave & Destroy
04. Avvenimento Traumatico
05. Stigma
06. Fellonia Con Sangue
07. Walking Over Mother Disease
08. Obedience To None
09. Paralyze
10. Victoria Victis
11. Idolatry
12. Totgeborener Lebensmut

At some point during the year of 2009, My Kingdom Music sent me a rather interesting 4-track EP. Only 17 minutes short, it was a magazine-only foretaste of Marco Kehrens (ex-Deinonychus, ex-Bethlehem, ex-Dark Sanctuary) new project - Nihil Novi Sub Sole (Nothing New Under The Sun). Now in early 2010, Marco has released his debut under the new moniker.

A new moniker - a new kind of music. Let me tell you that 'NNSS' really doesn't have anything in common with metal. Instead the project focuses on industrially tainted ambient compositions. The most defining aspect is the drumming. It's very loud in the mix and rather monotone and serves the purpose of dragging the listener throughout the eerie atmospheres set by various orchestrations and samples. Vocals are completely replaced by samples speaking about great sins of humanity - most of them in German about national socialist atrocities - and a few choir samples.

The atmospheres this record conveys are powerful and picturesque and as such the whole music has a certain intriguing gloominess to it. It's rare that the chiming of a bell paired with a simplistic keyboard build-up can carry such a strong mood by themselves (Totgeborener Lebensmut). With this album Marco Kehren proves how effective music based solely on atmosphere can actually be.

However the music doesn't offer anything apart from that. The musicianship is rather minimalistic and while no two songs are completely alike, the CD as a whole sounds very samey, which is probably its biggest shortcoming. As background music for moments of solemn reflection, this record seems almost perfect though.


Rating breakdown
Performance: 7
Songwriting: 8
Originality: 8
Production: 9

Written by Bas | 20.02.2010




Comments

Comments: 4   Visited by: 95 users
20.02.2010 - 23:27
Marcus
Doit Like Bernie
Dang this sounds really cool, definitely checkin it out.
Loading...
21.02.2010 - 15:53
Lucas
Mr. Noise
Nihil Novi Sub Sole is some great stuff. I need this.
----
SLUDGE. DOOM. DEATH. Wait, what?

"The reason I'm running for president is because I can't be Bruce Springsteen." - Barack Obama
Loading...
22.02.2010 - 12:12
silenius

Listened to their songs on myspace and it sounds great^^ defenitly gonna get my hands on this one
Loading...
23.02.2010 - 08:33
BudDa

Been listening to alot of dark sanctuary of late..guess I should pick this one up too. Thanx for the review..
----
Freeze! Step away from the hubris.
Loading...

Hits total: 4915 | This month: 3